How do I apply to be an ACCA student?

You can register online to become an ACCA student at any time of the year.

Applying online allows you to upload all your supporting documents. This means your ACCA application will be processed much quicker and you will know at which level you can start your studies shortly after submitting your application.

What are the entry requirements for Foundations in Accountancy?

There are no minimum entry requirements - you can start at any level. However, we strongly recommend you start at the Introductory Certificate if you have no formal qualifications, especially if it has been a while since you completed any studies.

This is because students who start at the Introductory Certificate and work their way through the Foundation level-qualifications perform better in the higher level exams.

Please note that where documents have been issued in a language other than English, we require a photocopy of the original language documents and a copy of an official English translation.

You will be able to upload and attach copies of all documentation to your online application. Please note that in order to fully complete your application online you will be required to pay your registration fee by credit or debit card.

If you are ready to apply please click apply now on the Related Links at the top left of the page and begin your application.

How long does it take to register as a student?

The online application should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, providing you have all the documents you need ready before you start. You can also save a part-complete application and return to it a later date.

If you complete your application fully online, and we receive all the information and documents we require, you should be registered as a student within 5–7 working days.

If you have to send documents or payment to us by post, you should be registered as a student within 10 working days. Please note this timescale is from receipt of the documents.

We aim to process all applications within the timescales stated above following receipt of the application. You will then be sent a communication via email or letter confirming your application has been processed. Should we require further information to support your application we will contact you.

What fees are payable?

A subscription fee is charged in addition to the initial registration fee in your first year as an ACCA student if you are eligible to sit at more than one exam session in a calendar year

New students who registered before 9 May 2017 will be charged a subscription fee in addition to their initial registration fee.

Thereafter the annual subscription fee is due and payable on or before 1 January each year you wish to remain an active student.

ACCA has a tiered pricing approach to exam entry. This means that the earlier you enter for your exams, the less you pay. For more information on exam entry fees, visit the apply now page in the Related Links.

There is also a charge for every exemption awarded.

Please note, exemptions for the ACCA Qualification are available for the first nine exams (F1 – F9) only.

Tuition

If you wish to take tuition at a University or College, these fees will be separate and paid directly to the tuition provider. A list of approved ACCA tuition providers can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to study yourself for the exams, and more information about this route can be found in the Related Links.

Can I submit my registration form and pay at a later date?

Unfortunately, an application cannot be finalised without the relevant fee. Please ensure that a payment is submitted as part of your application.

Please note, until your application is finalised and you have been issued with official confirmation of your registration, you will be unable to attempt any examinations. Students are also advised not to book tuition until their registration is confirmed.

What exemptions can I apply for?

You may be exempt from some of our exams based on the qualifications you already have. These will be assessed as part of your online application, but you can use our Exemptions calculator to get an idea of what you might receive before you apply.

Should you have any additional questions, please visit the exemption FAQs for further information.

Please note: Exemptions are not awarded until after your education documentation has been assessed and registration application completed.

What exams do I have to take to complete the ACCA Qualification?

In order to complete the ACCA Qualification and qualify as an ACCA member, you will need to complete:

14 exams (exemptions are awarded based on qualifications held)

3 years practical work experience

the Ethics and Professional Skills module

The exams are detailed below:

Fundamentals exams

Knowledge module

F1 – Accountant in Business

F2 – Management Accounting

F3 – Financial Accounting

Skills Module

F4 – Corporate and Business Law

F5 – Performance Management

F6 – Taxation

F7 – Financial Reporting

F8 – Audit and Assurance

F9 – Financial Management

Professional module

P1 – Governance, Risk and Ethics

P2 – Corporate Reporting

P3 – Business Analysis

Options (two to be completed)

P4 – Advanced Financial Management

P5 – Advanced Performance Management

P6 – Advanced Taxation

P7 – Advanced Audit and Assurance

To help demonstrate to potential employers that you can apply your knowledge in the workplace and have practical skills, you are required to complete three years relevant work experience. You can gain your practical experience before, during or after you complete your exams

As part of your ethical development, you are required to complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module. This will give you exposure to a range of ethical perspectives and includes several self-tests which require you to reflect on your own ethical behaviour and values. The module becomes available to you online when you have completed the first three exams of the ACCA Qualification (F1 - Accountant in Business, F2 - Management Accounting and F3 - Financial Accounting), although it is recommended that you complete all nine Fundamentals level exams (F1 - F9) before taking it.

What exams do I have to take to complete Foundations in Accountancy?

The Foundation-level qualifications, collectively referred to as Foundations in Accountancy, are detailed below:

Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting

FA1 – Recording Financial Transactions

MA1 – Management Information

Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting

FA2 – Maintaining Financial Records

MA2 – Managing Costs and Finance

Diploma in Accounting and Business

FAB – Accountant in Business

FMA – Management Accounting

FFA – Financial Accounting

Foundation Diploma (only available in Pakistan and Bangladesh)

FA1 – Recording Financial Transactions

MA1 – Management Information

FA2 – Maintaining Financial Records

MA2 – Managing Costs and Finance

FAB – Accountant in Business

FMA – Management Accounting

FFA – Financial Accounting

Certified Accounting Technician

To achieve this award you need to complete all of the above exams and two of the following exams:

FTX – Foundations in Taxation

FFM – Foundations in Financial Management

FAU – Foundations in Audit

To gain any of the above awards, and receive a certificate you are required to complete the Foundations in Professionalism Module. This will give you exposure to a range of ethical perspectives and includes several self-tests which require you to reflect on your own ethical behaviour and values.

To help demonstrate to potential employers that you can apply your knowledge in the workplace and have practical skills, you are required to complete one year’s relevant work experience. You can gain your practical experience before, during or after you complete your exams

Exemptions can be awarded from Foundation in Accountancy exams based on qualifications held and work experience achieved (this relates to the CAT Qualification only).

How quickly can I complete the ACCA qualification?

We run four exam sessions per year. Students can sit a maximum of four exams at each session, and a maximum of eight distinct exams each calendar year. You could therefore complete all of the exams in two years.

However, as you also need three years practical experience before you can become an ACCA member and be considered a qualified accountant, the qualification takes a minimum of three years to complete.

How quickly can I complete Foundations in Accountancy?

Once you are a registered Foundations in Accountancy student you have an unlimited amount of time in which to complete the qualification, however it can be completed quite quickly.

The first three Foundation-level qualifications are:

Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting

Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting

These consist of two exams and the Foundations in Professionalism module, which could be completed in 6 months.

The Diploma in Accounting and Business could be completed in 1 year, as could the Certified Accounting Technician qualification provided you achieve your required work experience whilst studying.

When do exams take place?

From 2016, ACCA is running four exam sessions per year, and in addition the majority of exams at the Foundations level and F1-F3, F4 English and F4 Global exams are available as on-demand computer based exams (CBE) which provide students with even greater flexibility and convenience.

How do I study for my ACCA exams?

As an awarding body, ACCA relies on its global network of third party tuition providers to help our students prepare for their exams. Please note, ACCA does not provide tuition for its qualifications. ACCA recommends that you use one of our approved tuition providers. You can access the Tuition Provider Directory in the Related Links at the top left of the page.